It's been a year and two months, at the time of writing this piece, since Kizz Daniel released his hit single “Buga.” Kizz Daniel is a Nigerian musician and a millennial whose song has affected people from all walks of life.

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Since the release of “Buga” till now, I have been to social gatherings where the song has been played at several Christian gatherings with many dancing to it. Before I share some thoughts on this song, some statistics will do. At the time of writing, its official announcement video on Instagram had received 7,607 comments, 260K likes, and 1.5 million views. The official “Buga”video has been viewed 156 million times in one year on YouTube. Kizz Daniel influences 1.9 million followers on TikTok, 2.2 million on Twitter, and 2.46 million on YouTube.

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Among the Yoruba of Nigeria, “buga” means to ostentatiously show off one's gains to secure affirmation or admiration or even exhibit defiance towards those who thought you could not make it. The notion of the song is that because people work hard, they need to take care of themselves. This is a good idea. However, the general theme of the song disqualify a true follower of Jesus from embracing the instructions of the song. These portions of the song areconcerning (though there is more).

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‍              You don work, you don try try, You suppose to dey

                                              j'aiye j'aiye

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              You don work, you don try, You suppose dey high

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              Lemme see you (go low low low), Buga wọn, lemme

                                              buga wọn

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One could be defensive and say they were attracted to the beat or rhythm of the song and not necessarily the lyrics; this is self-deception because the beat is associated with the lyrics helping to drive home the composer's message. It is a trap.

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The first and second lines in italics sampled from the lyrics encourage those who have worked hard to “j'aiye j'aiye” or “dey high” meaning they are to have fun. While having fun is not a bad idea, the kind portrayed in these lyrics supported by the music video is hedonistic and self-centered. With regards to “Buga wọn, lemme buga wọn,” dancers in the music video maintain upward shrugged shoulders to communicate they are in control or in charge as they “flaunt” their gains, the posture itself, a symbol of pride, one that is contra scripture.

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Paul advised the Thessalonians to test all things and hold fast to what is good (1 Thess 5:21). He gave this instruction while pleading with the believers to live a sanctified life to please God. They were to learn to control their bodies, avoiding passionate lust as the pagans do because they do not know God (vv. 1 Thess 4:4-5). He continued to encourage them to live quiet lives working with their own hands so that through their daily lives, they will win the respect of others (1 Thess 4:11-12).

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Paul tied his counsel to matters surrounding the Lord's return urging the believers to maintain their presence in the light because only those in darkness will be surprised by the return of the Lord; it will be sudden like the birth pangs of a pregnant woman. Regarding work, Paul admonished them to hold those who work hard among them in high esteem because of their contribution to their community (1 Thess 5:13). On the other hand, those who were lazy were to be warned.

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Because it is the Lord who gives us the ability to make wealth (Deut 8:18), we are not to “flaunt”our gains, instead, we are to live moderate lives so that our quiet living will cause others to give glory to God. Living a moderate or quite life means being reflective of the source of your success and joyfully giving the due credit to the Lord, it is not a state of boredom, neither is it a state of being flashy.

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Before opening your heart and soul to any music, test all things and hold fast to that which is good. Believers are in the world but not of the world (John 17:14). This world, as it currently stands, is passing away (1 Cor. 7:31). We are to constantly judge our behavior and thought so that nobody will do that for us (1 Cor. 11:31). True pleasure is not found in the flaunting of gains, but in the one through whom we can explain the meaning of the suffering and hardship we went through to acquire the same gains we are tempted to show off. Believers who prioritize their relationship with Jesus must know that “buga” contradicts the teachings of their master